Rayne Farley
Rayne Farley is a Ranger of the Saint's Crossing Ranger Corps
History
Early Life
Rayne was born in Somerset and grew up in an estate to a wealthy couple. Her parents were not very family oriented and left her mostly to fend for herself. She spent her early years playing and singing music, and roaming the fields and woodlands in search of animals. With her love for animals, especially horses, Rayne's parents allowed her to work at a ranch and stables, helping with the farm animals, learning to train and ride horses, and helping with lessons. As time went on Rayne found herself excelling at this. The owners were close to retiring, so once she was old enough, Rayne took over. Rayne owned an equine veterinary practice towards the end of her stay in England and after hiring on staff for her establishments, would happily move between all aspects of animal care, training and riding. Rayne competed and won a few competitions, a combination of barrel racing, dressage and cross country. In her spare time, using the money from her work and her parents, she would travel the lands performing in various saloons and bars, even boating to other European countries over the years to share her music. The dream ended when she awoke one morning to smoke rising in the air, choking on it, and ran outside to see that her father was standing with a cigarette in his hand, a match on the ground, and flames engulfed the ranch. In a daze, Rayne saved as many animals as she could, but not all of them made it, including her favourite horse, a Thoroughbred named Mystic. Rayne secured what she needed to, and handed the reins to another, too devastated to even look at the ranch again. Rayne packed what little she had and took a boat to America to never see her family again.
She found herself out west, stumbling into unfamiliar lands. Rayne picked up work as a horse trainer and started working on a ranch. She loved and lost many in a short time. Edwin, who she never loved, who was kicked by a horse and killed. Butch, who she thought she was going to marry, who left her suddenly only to be shot dead by Roland in a duel. Roland, who she tried to fix, but he had lost his mind and she couldn't bear to see it, until one day he passed away. Danny, who tried to claim her for the criminal life, incredibly fun but incredibly dangerous. At one point, Rayne joined a drunken venture into the woods, a group of people hunting a grizzly bear with a knife, and after getting split from the group, she got mauled. Deuce saved her life, but she has a chunk missing from her stomach as a result. Rayne made life long friends, performing at various venues with Leon Buckley, working the ranch with Deuce Patterson, and making memories through the Horse Association and the parties she would help throw. Even still, something was missing, and in her heartbreak, Rayne wanted to run away somewhere new, get into nature and let go. Rayne heard about the Saint's Crossing Ranger Corps, and soon enough, there she was.
Events in Saint's Crossing
The First Cycle
Rayne moved to the Crossing in April, 1901. After meeting Roy Callander and hearing more about the Corps, she put in her application and was accepted quickly into the recruit program. Rayne's first day as a recruit was April 12th, joined by Malcom Irvine, Shawn Keegan and Wallace. The next day, Rayne met Hal Dreen, Isla White and Nathan Thompson, who would become some of her greatest friends, Hal remaining close to this day. Buzz Buxton, a Sr Ranger at the time, took the recruits out sightseeing. Rayne went on patrols with Shawn and Christine, and Roy took the recruits to visit the gravesites of the fallen rangers, only three at the time; Tavish, Max and Kamino. By the end of April, the day had come. Rayne, Hal, Isla, Nathan and Malcom received their green. Tears were shed and songs were sang as they donned the poncho for the first time. Their time in the green was magical.
Rayne made friends with many rangers such as Wolfheart, Mitch Sandh, Cole Cade, Frankie Bright and Dallas Wolf who lended great wisdom to her as she grew as a ranger. Rayne took it upon herself to learn more about the tribes and the history of the land, especially following the Cotorra Springs incident.
During this time, a Game Warden caught her eye. Rayne fell for Rye Smith and while their time was short, they formed an incredible bond and loved each other deeply, spending every moment together. When Rye was shot by a local and went missing, Rayne went out searching with Danni and a couple deputies. He was found just short of the tower, bleeding out. Rayne was emotional, and demanded to be in the Valentine office with him. Danni refused. Rye was eventually stable and moved to the Strawberry lodge, but the next day was gone. Rayne was criticised regarding her behaviour around Rye's death and how she grieved, with Roy launching an investigation with the State Ranger, telling her that if she mentioned it to anyone else, he would fire her. Broken hearted and ashamed, Rayne decided to hand in her poncho before it could be taken from her, spending some time in Roanoke where her and Rye double dated, before going back to England.
The Second Cycle
Rayne returned in September 1901. Having taken time back in England to heal, work with animals and remember who she was, she came back reinvigorated. Rayne didn't know if she'd ever be a ranger again, but Nathan and Hal convinced her to give it a shot and told her Roy was gone. Rayne found out that Nathan was sick and promised to keep his secret, but it only fuelled her to get her green back so she could make the most of the time Nathan had left. Buzz was highly skeptical and unhappy with how Rayne abandoned the rangers, saying she gave up. Rayne tried to explain the investigation, but more than anything, told him she was determined to make things right, for Rye. Rayne was put back into the recruit process. Her first day back in the grey, Malcom passed away. She'd spoken to him just the day before, so to hear the Shadow of Lemoyne had killed him shocked her. Rayne used to act out emotionally in the face of loss, but out of fear of judgement, she grew a harder shell and began pushing it all down. She went on searches with Buzz not long after hearing the news. They said no words to each other, but it meant a lot for Buzz to go out there with her after everything.
Rayne struggled being a recruit again, being told by Nathan, Hal and others to just act like a recruit, listen and absorb. Rayne continued to speak up on searches, she couldn't just stay silent. Rayne struggled with seeing her friends she donned the grey with being Sr Rangers and Game Wardens, truly feeling the time that has passed. Rayne made good friends with Jackson and Ray Lee during her time as a recruit, and within a couple weeks she had the green once again. Rayne could not take part in the first expedition for the Shadow of Lemoyne, because she was a recruit, but she managed to join the second, in which they took down not one, but two shadows, avenging Malcom's death.
In the green, Rayne began working on various projects for the rangers. She began a bear behaviour survey, of which she completed the O'Creaghs region entirely. She started Bison Counts on the request of Hummingbird, and wrote up a proposal for an Elysian Pool study on the water & animal sickness. When Joey left the rangers, Rayne adapted his snow patrol route and began running them regularly for recruits. She also took lead on the Tall Trees investigation in November/December 1901.
Rayne became a Senior Ranger a couple months after getting her green, and was determined to make as much impact as she could. Taking on the torch Buzz once held, Rayne trained recruits into the green, taking them on meaningful patrols and teaching them about the ranger history as well as the tribes and land. Rayne trained many distinguished rangers and ex-rangers such as Deuce, Beaux, Chase, Cat, Ellis, Peter, and others. Rayne's biggest pride is in the rangers she's taught in one way or another. Her and the other rangers' teachings have shaped the SCRC into what it is today.
Rayne dated Deputy Christian Sawyer, falling for him during a snow search and rescue he joined her on. He clocked off duty to go on a fishing date with Rayne, followed by a date at Calimet Ravine in a canoe. Christian was there for her when she was hunted down by Mason James, helping her hide in Tall Trees.
When she was taken by Mason to the caves in north New Austin, she was tortured for a couple of hours. Mason found her at the wigwams in Tall Trees. Rayne pulled a gun on him and in response, he shot her horse Zephyrus dead. Rayne gave up the fight and went with him. He spent what felt like a lifetime breaking her down mentally, stabbing and shooting her, and even tricking her into thinking she was going to die. Rayne was forced to give up Dallas as a way to get to Frankie, which destroyed her. Finally, he had her stand in the cave with a lantern in her hand, and shot it, setting her on fire. Rayne sustained burns mostly on the right side of her body, and has nasty burn scars covering her from the neck down because of it. Rayne has permanent nerve damage in her right hand, unable to feel temperature and only minimal pain and pressure. She had to relearn to shoot a rifle and her hand tends to seize up under stress.
After recovering from Mason's attack, Sawyer left the Crossing, Rayne found multiple deceased individuals on searches, Mason was killed by Hummingbird, and Isla and Nathan were no longer rangers as a result. This left Buzz and Bear in charge, with Rayne stepping up to assist, taking on more than she could chew despite warnings not to. Buzz and Rayne were incredibly close during this time and he was a large support to her as she was for him. Nathan and Rayne met to discuss what happened, and despite their bond, Rayne cast him away out of distrust. Rayne met with every ranger individually to figure out where to go next, and felt she was on track to Game Warden due to her commitment to the rangers. She promised she would be there no matter what. However, Mason's attack had a massive mental impact on Rayne that she tried to ignore through everything else going on. She could hear his voice and see him in the shadows, and eventually, it got so aggressive that she thought she was going insane. Knowing how she'd stepped up, she thought she would destroy the rangers. So after hosting the first Ranger Campout, Rayne went and hid in Roanoke for 6-7 months, working to accept her demons and be able to live with them, as well as heal from all that happened. Rayne didn't tell a soul, and wasn't sure she'd ever return.
Breaking The Cycle
Rayne was found one day at Ambarino tower by Hal. Over the course of two weeks, he convinced her slowly to return to society, despite her fear and apprehension of people and being in the public eye. Hal told Rayne about everything that had happened in her absence, and even got her to write up pieces for his memorial tour he wanted to work on. While out in Roanoke, Rayne didn't think she ever wanted to return to the rangers, happy to live out her life in the wilderness, but the spark in Hal's eyes and enthusiasm in his voice awoke an old flame in her that she couldn't put out forever. When Hal took Rayne to Strawberry, she met Alfred, Codi and Arden, all who inspired her to return to her former glory. She was demoted in her LOA but not removed, and so after making introductions and joining a few search and rescues, she officially started ridealongs to become a ranger again. Rayne found out that many of her friends and fellow rangers had died - Frankie, Dallas, Nathan, Jackson, among others. It shattered her to know she couldn't be there, especially for Nathan, who she cast away. Rayne would not make that mistake again, wasting time.
Her first day on ridealongs, July 31st, Bear Walker died. Bear was like a father to her and they bonded greatly before she left. Bear encouraged her through telegram to rejoin, but she never got to speak face to face. Rayne joined on S&Rs up until Bear's funeral, and received her green back on the 2nd of August. Rayne was asked by Deuce why she deserved a second chance. Rayne told them that perhaps she didn't. However, she knew her skillset and what she could lend to the rangers. After breaking her promise to be there for the rangers no matter what, she swore off making promises, and refused to promise she would stay this time. But she told them to witness her actions and that hopefully her actions over time will speak the truth. Deuce told her before sending her off that they were more alike than she might think.
Through many reunions with old faces, Rayne met new ones too. She got closer with Arden, Codi, Alfred, Pugsley and Silas. Rayne worked here and there with recruits, and started up a project, to document the stories lost through time and ensure that rangers were doing meaningful patrols with each other and recruits. Rayne found her true purpose, as a "walking history book", to make sure the rangers knew where they came from, the tales and the people involved, so she could leave a legacy behind that would be remembered. Stories were documented; the Cumberland campsite nights telling funny stories, the Mother Tree, the various investigations and events that transpired in her time. Rayne reunited with Cat, who returned as a Game Warden after recovering from illness, and Cat and Murray got her involved with the paths, making her a leader of the Stag due to her expertise in horse care, veterinary care, farrier work and animal conservation. Rayne took up the challenge of mapping all the herbs in the Crossing and swore she would learn everything Cat could teach her. When Cat became sick again and had to indefinitely leave the Crossing, Rayne decided she would master herbology in Cat's honour, so that she could carry on Cat's teachings and the rangers wouldn't lose everything Cat worked for.
Rayne had sworn off love after Sawyer, but developed a crush for Alfred. She fought for him for almost a month, despite his feelings for another ranger and the complicated scenarios they had to navigate. Rayne remained open minded to the whole situation. They went on their first date August 27th, which only confused Alfred more on where his feelings were, and after a hard conversation in which Rayne believed he was shutting her down, she distanced herself and started trying to move on. In a last ditch effort she telegrammed the other ranger laying all the cards on the table; she responded to Rayne with a clear answer, which Rayne ripped out and showed Alfred immediately. Rayne wasn't proud of this drastic move, but it was necessary, and while Alfred was initially hurt by it, they found common ground and it cleared his head enough to give Rayne a shot. They went on two further dates, one exploring the Eastern Frontier and another exploring Guarma. By the third date, they were deeply affectionate with each other, and discussed what they were - that night they decided they were a true couple, and started to announce this publicly. Rayne's action with the telegram was not to give Alfred an ultimatum. In fact, the telegram gave Rayne's blessing for him to be with the other ranger. But she will remain forever grateful that Alfred chose her and took that chance, no matter what risks were involved.
Presently, Rayne continues on her mission to document history and leave a legacy, teaching recruits and rangers alike what the weight of the poncho truly means. She doesn't push herself so hard anymore, doing only what needs to be done, and has found a sense of peace in this. Being the third oldest ranger in the SCRC, her knowledge and experience is her most important quality, and so she endeavours to pass this onto everyone she knows so that she can pass away peacefully one day. Rayne would accept Sr Ranger again one day, but it isn't her priority. She takes time off duty regularly to spend time with Alfred, and plans to do so with her friends in the future. In her free time, Rayne writes in her journal, plays music and watches nature. When Rayne spoke to Buzz to repair their friendship, Buzz told her he is waiting for her to break the cycles in her life. Rayne's ranger word is "REBIRTH" because of the chances she's been given, and how she has returned as a more evolved version of herself.
Character
Personality
Rayne can shift easily between a playful, bright and cheery persona to one that is serious, hyperfocused and at times stern and cold. She has matured greatly through her time as a ranger and does not cry or show extreme emotion easily. She is paperwork obsessed and quick to correct mistakes, though much less harsh on others nowadays. She is incredibly flirty and quite inappropriate at times, which is a part of her playful self, and she loves a good pun.
Appearance
Rayne is about 5'6 with deep black hair, often tied up and tossed over one shoulder, and emerald green eyes. Rayne most commonly wears a black hat with golden detailing, and is often seen wearing relatively smart but practical outfits with her ranger poncho, usually green and white or cream. Rayne has intense burn scarring from the neck down, mostly on the right side of her body, and has a small chunk missing from her stomach. She wears distinctive makeup, a large wing with purple-pink eyeshadow. She can be seen riding a grey brindle Thoroughbred, white Arabian, marbled Criollo or black snowflake Apaloosa.
Relationships
Rayne is in a relationship with Alfred. Her closest friends are Hal and Leon Buckley. She considers most if not all the rangers her friends, and is friends with many of law. She has no hate for any living person.
Trivia
- Rayne owns two previous rangers' bolt actions. Rye's "Bear Killer", and Bear's "A Father's Promise".
- Rayne is the 3rd oldest (active) ranger in the SCRC.
- Rayne's first ranger horse, a Roadster called Apollo, is now being ridden by Recruit Buddy.
- Rayne has found 6 deceased individuals during her time as a ranger.
- Rayne has had 7 romantic partners in her life.
- Rayne used to smoke cigarettes, but now smokes a bear-engraved pipe because of Alfred.
- Rayne has lived in two places that Hal has moved into after she's left them - the tree house in Big Valley, and the wolf house near Strawberry.
- Rayne currently lives in Thawhollow, using the guest tent but stays with Alfred most nights.
- Rayne has mapped dens and landmarks of the whole Crossing and now works on camps, herbs and more.
- Rayne came 2nd in the first Rangers' Got Talent.
Gallery
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